Nikitha Prabhakar
Current student, Placement student
- Subject area
- Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
I chose Loughborough because I knew it would provide an environment where I could thrive. The engaging teaching approach and strong sense of community enabled me to build meaningful relationships with both my lecturers and course mates. Loughborough also offers excellent support and resources to help us progress into industry, it genuinely prioritises student wellbeing and takes student feedback seriously to continuously improve the student experience.
Academically, I was impressed by the quality of the engineering facilities and the course content. These have continued to develop throughout my time at Loughborough, particularly with the introduction of the DigiLabs. The lecturers are also approachable, supportive and genuinely want you to succeed.
During my studies, I developed a strong interest in hardware and electronics engineering through both my academic learning and industry experience. This enabled me to build knowledge and practical skills in applications engineering, power electronics testing, circuit design and analysis, mechatronics, instrumentation and control theory.
The course covered a broad range of industry-relevant topics, providing a strong theoretical foundation alongside extensive practical experience and opportunities to specialise in areas of personal interest. Through laboratory work and hands-on projects, I gained valuable experience in designing and analysing electronic systems. These projects included mechatronics work with pick-and-place robots and the development of a wireless remote controller. A particular highlight of my degree was applying these skills during the second-year Engineering Olympiad. Working as part of a team, I helped develop a wireless controller for a small robot that could navigate an obstacle course and retrieve a custom-designed token. This experience brought together many aspects of the course in a practical and engaging way, while also sparking my interest in PCB design, which has since become one of my favourite areas of engineering.
Loughborough has provided me with excellent opportunities to gain industry experience including a summer internship at Renesas Electronics through the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) and my current placement year as a Hardware Engineer at Leonardo. These experiences have enhanced my technical skills, broadened my industry understanding and increased my professional confidence.
In my first year, I was proud to receive the UKESF Renesas Award, which led to a summer internship with Renesas Electronics. During my internship, I developed my knowledge of power electronics, circuit analysis and automation by creating a suite of Python scripts to collect and analyse efficiency data. Building on this experience, I was delighted to secure a placement as a Hardware Engineer at Leonardo, where I am continuing to expand my industry knowledge and technical skills. In this role, I have the opportunity to contribute to real-world hardware projects while gaining a deeper understanding of how multidisciplinary teams collaborate to design, develop and deliver innovative products.
My industry experience has made the engineering concepts covered as part of my degree more meaningful by allowing me to see how they are applied in real-world engineering environments. It has also helped me identify the aspects of engineering work that I enjoy most, enabling me to make more informed decisions about future career opportunities. I have also gained a good understanding of the full engineering development lifecycle from initial concept and design through to testing and final product delivery. Through working alongside and learning from experienced engineers, I have strengthened my problem-solving skills, gained valuable industry insight and contributed meaningfully to project outcomes. In addition, I have developed key skills of Arduino, Python, electronics fundamentals, VHDL, instrumentation, PCB design and layout, mechatronics, machine vision, control theory, hardware testing and debugging, data analysis, electronic design, technical documentation and the use of engineering instrumentation.
After graduation, I hope to secure a graduate role in hardware, electronics, or robotics, where I can continue to develop my technical expertise and contribute to innovative projects.
Loughborough is a great place to study, with a welcoming campus community, beautiful green spaces and excellent facilities that help create a unique student experience. From dedicated study spaces and a wide range of clubs, societies and intramural sports to activities in the friendly local town, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved both on and off campus.
Outside of my studies, I have been actively involved in a range of extracurricular activities including archery and badminton through IMS and All Stars. These activities have helped me maintain a healthy work-life balance while building friendships with people from a wide range of backgrounds.
I have also volunteered with Robogals, helping to inspire young people to consider STEM subjects, which has strengthened my communication skills and my ability to explain complex concepts to different audiences. In addition, I enjoyed being a Course Representative, collecting student feedback and working with academic staff to enhance the experience for current and future cohorts. This role developed my teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills, while giving me the opportunity to make a positive contribution to my course community.
Studying at Loughborough has provided me with the knowledge, practical experience and confidence needed to pursue a career in engineering. Alongside my academic development, it has given me a wealth of opportunities and experiences that have helped me grow into a well-rounded individual, build lasting friendships and thrive within a supportive and inspiring University community.
Nikitha is expected to graduate from Loughborough University in 2028.
